11yo, mum, two grannies, UK outdoors/nature/activities

[Bloodybridget]

DP and I are hoping to have a week in the summer holidays with her DD and our 11yo DGS. Boy would love other children to play with, and some outdoor activities - he has a lot of indoor and screen time so one aim is to encourage him to enjoy the natural world! I've looked at various holiday parks, but ideally we'd like something a bit wilder, and not absolutely cheek-by-jowl with hundreds more people. But DGS loves swimming so a pool would be good . . . Caravan, lodge, cottage all fine, within 200 miles of London preferably. Any suggestions gratefully received.

Canter Parcs.
You'll be with lots of others at the pool but otherwise you can be quite alone in the woods. Do you all cycle?

you might struggle to find this in school summer holidays now so might have to widen your search a bit. we stay HERE its in south east cornwall near Looe about two hours from Bristol. it has a pool and lots of outdoorsy things to do. if not have a look at some of the lastminute websites like lastminute-cottages. do you have a budget?

Center doh!

Ah thanks so much momb and mummymeister! Momb, I have looked at Center Parcs but am a bit worried about cost of all the activities, on top of accommodation. To my shame, I can't ride a bike. Mummymeister, Wringworthy Cottages do look lovely, but driving as far as Looe in August would be a bit much, I think. Yes will look at lastminute.com.

I'm just looking at Forest Holidays, which might be a possibility - any thoughts?

We've done a Forest Holiday and the standard of the accommodation was good. Some sites are older though so do your research. We had a jacuzzi on the deck which was fab as a treat. Ranger activities are usually run in the holidays.

Thanks iseenodust, I have booked a week at Forest Holidays in the Forest of Dean so hope it will be good! DP and I aren't very particular about standards of accommodation but surroundings are important. We have got a hot tub, v excited about that!

Hope you have a fab time. We stayed in Cropton Forest in N Yorks.